Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1887-03-27

The savtsG Fewer Of 8Sther's Lave
-MeFey CosqaeFs Justice.
tSda FraHeiseo Aita.


San Franeiseo Aita.
Here Is a truthful representation OF
a California arrest, trial, conviction,
appeal and reversal Of a verdict, or
rather verdict set aside.
A man had robbed a coach running
between Stockton and Sonora, con-
cealed the money tall he could carry
about his person, sought lodgings not
far away. and in the night had risen,
stolen a horse, ard struck Il Decline
across the country toward a station
where he could get quiet transporta-
ton 10 San Francisco, intending to
start for home by steamer. He be
longed to Arkansas. In the morning
the horse and rider were missed. A
party started in pursuit, and in twenty
four hours had his horse broken down
and had him eorraled. He saw that
his game was up and coolly waited the
result. The party oyerhaulsd him at
dawn.
Good mornin' stranger"
Good morn"
Seen anything Of man about your
size straddle Of a sorrel mare. lookin'
heap like the one you rider"
" No, haven't"
" That's a purity good mare o.
yourn."
+" Yes; she's worth a cool $500, bat
she's little winded now. Say, mister.
III give you $500 clean boot for that
one o. yourn and stop the deal"
He was making a cool bluff, and al
though he knew he was recognized. his
offer would pay well for the broken
down horse, and he hoped that his
money would save him. He counted
without his host.
That's a straight blind o. yourn,
pard. and il strains US to come in. but
we're thar. and hold you over. You
look a little played out. as well as
the mare. II you jest git down and
Join our party, it'll stretch your legs,
and maybe you need stretching ALI
over"
He blanched trifle, but obeyed in
dogged silence. The pursuers all dis
mounted, and, the spokesman APP
preaching, threw over his head a
moose, and. passing the other end Of
the rope over the limb OF tree that
overshadowed them. called the other
members Of the party around him.
The culprit stood erect not a muscle
quiyered.
F" Now, pard, is everything all right2
Does it fit your neck according to
Hoyie2"
Have you got anything to say why
this little picnic shouldn't proceed
Nothin'."
" Have yer got any words ter leave
ter yer friends7 II yer have, make il
short, for we've got ter break camp in
side of ten minutes.
The stranger raised his eyes from the
ground for the first time and looked his
self-appointed Judge and executioner
straight in the eye for a moment, and
then, drawing from his pocket a crum-
Piled letter, spoke with slight tremor
Of voice:
d" Perhaps you re a better scholar than
/ be. ii you will just read this and be
kind enough 10 answer Il, III tell you
what 20 say
The executioner had already passed
the rope 20 his comrades, and they had
drawn it taut He took the letter. and
as the party stood around him ready to
run up the culprit at the first signal, he
opened IL and read a'oud:
B, Ark, Jan. 10, Is.
MY DEAR SON JANEs-For long,
weary days | have waited for news
from you since your last kind letter to
your old mother. God bless you,
James, and answer my prayer that
this letter may reach you, thanking
you for your ever thoughtful care OF
me in my old age | received the mo-
ney, and IL kept me from sore need.
But once more TO look in your face
and feel that you were near me would
cheer my old heart more than TO pos
ssss all the gold in California. When
are YOU coming home9 You promised
me in the spring that you would come
back 10 me. May God prosper yon
and return my dear boy to my arms
before | die.
" From your loving mother, -
He began the letter in a strong. clear
voice. hut before reaching the closing
words the reading was hardly audible,
and tears stood IN the eyes Of the rough
men who listened TO its contents. The
rope had slackcned until it dropped
from the hands of his comrades, ST
lence prevailed a few minutes; then,
reverently folding the soiled letter. the
reader passed Il 20 its owner, and with
out word slipped the moose from his
neck. In tones as gentle as a mother :
he asked
We're you going home Stranger
" Yes.
" Good hy.
The stranger dared not trust his voice
in thanks. but drew from his belt a
small bag u twenties and offered II 20
the leader.
" HoSs
No: take her. and good-hy.
lie mounted the mare and slowly
moved away, while the party watched
him out Of sight. then turned and re
traced their steps silently 20 camp The
Court was adjourned.